Healthcare: On the Agenda - Kids told how to avoid swine flu

Health Secretary Andy Burnham and chief medical officer Sir Liam
Donaldson visited a school last week to advise children on the best way
to sneeze. The pair demonstrated the latest technique to counter swine
flu, which is to sneeze into your elbow if you do not have a
handkerchief.

Who was involved?

Burnham and Donaldson were at a north London primary school with Ed
Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. The visit
coincided with children returning to school following the summer
break.

Why is this significant?

The trio were urging schools to adopt basic hygiene measures in a bid to
curb the spread of an expected second wave of swine flu this autumn.
Donaldson said: 'Children are sometimes described as the "super
spreaders of flu".' He added that if children were educated to properly
cover their noses and mouths when they coughed or sneezed, it could help
to slow the spread of infection. Balls said the policy was now
preventive hygiene rather than closing schools.

Media coverage

The story was covered in much of the national press. The Daily Mail ran
the story on page 12 with the headline: 'Ministers show how to keep
swine flu at arm's length', while BBC News ran a video of the visit on
its website.

PR support

The Department of Health handled media calls following the event, but
photos were taken by the Press Association.